Detection of intracardiac shunts is imperative to prevent paradoxical thromboembolism
and heart strain from a shunt’s additional flow. Multiple modalities are used to detect shunts,
including echocardiography, MRI, CC, and nuclear modalities. Echocardiography is the initial
imaging modality for ASD, VSD, and PDA. In ASD and VSD, TEE, 3DE and MRI play a
complementary role and can help to determine the suitability for percutaneous closure.
Percutaneous closure is being increasingly used for ASD and PDA repair, while percutaneous
VSD repair still remains in the experimental stage.
